The Integrated Check Post (ICP), a vital initiative in South Tripura’s Sabroom aimed at promoting seamless trade and people movement with Bangladesh, will be operational by the end of the year, according to a Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) official. The ICP, which will pave the way for trade and immigration with Bangladesh via Maitri Setu, has already received Rs. 250 crore from the Centre. A total of Rs. 91 crore was also given to the landowners for the purchase of 50 acres of property near Maitri Setu, and civil works are currently underway.
“As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, we have set a target of completing the ICP work as much as possible by the end of this year. And we are working in this direction, “ the LPAI official said. The ICP is considered a key project to make Sabroom, a border town of South Tripura district, a logistic hub for the Northeast region by using Chittagong port in Bangladesh.
Currently, the only option for bringing logistics from outside the region is through the Haldia port in West Bengal, which drives up freight costs. Despite the fact that Maitri Setu was opened one and a half years ago, trade has yet to begin due to the lack of a Land Custom Station (LCS) on the Bangladesh side of the Feni River. Tripura now has two ICPs, one in Akhaura (Agartala) and the other in Sonamura, Sepahijala district.
